President Jonathan proposes Hall of Shame for Criminals

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday suggested the establishment of Hall of Shame where names of criminals and societal misfits could be sourced to serve as deterrent to those nursing the idea of criminality in the country.

Jonathan made the proposal while responding to the request of the Legends of Nollywood, led by its Chairman, Paul Obaziele, at the Presidential Villa.

They were at the Villa to confer the honour of the Grand Patron of the body on the president.

According to Jonathan, immortalising the names of criminals in the proposed Hall of Shame would make families and youths to stay away from crime so as to prevent their names being soiled.

“I heard you saying that you are planning a Hall of Fame; I think we should start thinking of having a hall of shame where the names of criminals would be written.

“This will serve as a deterrent to those who may want to indulge in criminal activities as they would not want to soil their family names” Jonathan said.

He said actors and actresses in the film industry had contributed to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Jonathan noted that they had been making the nation proud by projecting its culture positively within and outside the country.

He charged the actors to help project agriculture positively in their movies so that youngsters could develop interest in going into the business.

The president assured them of government support for the production of such movies.

Earlier, Obaziele had requested for more support from the government in terms of welfare.

He also requested that comprehensive health insurance and pension schemes be created for actors and actresses, as well as the provision of accommodation for those who cannot afford decent housing among his members.

Obaziele equally demanded the establishment of a Film Fund to be managed by government agencies just as he proposed the creation of a Hall of Fame for his members who have made names for themselves in the profession. The group also assured Jonathan of its members’ support ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

Credit: Jaiyeola Andrews/ThisDay